Activists assess prospects for ban on religious clothing in Kabardino-Balkaria

When commenting on the recommendation of an official from a mosque in Nalchik to remove niqabs in educational institutions, activists and religious figures have noted that in recent years, there have been more people wearing religious clothing in Kabardino-Balkaria. Restrictions on wearing religious clothing may cause a negative reaction in society, and some people may refuse to wear Muslim clothing, activists and religious figures suggest.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that a ban on wearing hijabs is unacceptable under Islamic law, and it is recommended to remove a niqab in educational institutions, stated Murad Ulbashev, the imam of the central mosque in Nalchik. After the idea of a ban on wearing niqabs was supported by the Muslim administrations of Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia, the Muftiate of Kabardino-Balkaria declared that wearing a niqab was a custom, not an obligation for Muslim women.

Historian Zaurbek Kozhev believes that the number of people wearing religious clothing has increased in the republic over the past two or three years. “I think this can be explained with the trend toward Islamization," Zaurbek Kozhev said.

According to his version, any ban could cause tension.

Human rights defender Zaur Shokuev agreed that restrictions on wearing religious clothing would cause a negative reaction. “These restrictions will clearly cause a wave of indignation in the Muslim community,” the human rights defender stated.

An imam of one of the mosques in Kabardino-Balkaria called the increase in the number of Muslims who prefer religious clothing “the result of regular explanatory work with society.” “People understand that clothing does not pose any danger, and they are less likely to be negatively treated because of their clothing,” the imam said.